Source: This Is Game
You've finally made it back to the Ro16 of Code S after four seasons. How do you feel?
I wanted to grab the NesTea award but it seems like I always fall down to Code A towards the end of the year. I want to do well again and attempt Code S nine season in a row.
It feels like your performances have really solidified.
I moved into the LG-IM team house and now I can practice a whole lot with Zerg players. Clearly I realize now that things are better than when I used to just practice on my own. I think my new practice regime is having an effect on my performances. ByuL failed to get to the Ro16 yesterday but during practice he is really good. He's so good that I fall behid him. On the other hand, I have a really good win ratio against all the other Zerg players so I am confident since I'm in such good condition.
Has the most recent patch helped you?
Even though the infestor was altered, it is such a good unit that I don't think we should be complaining about it. ByuL is really good at engagements but Curious is not. I don't think he's found a solution yet.
This season, three new maps were added. If you had to evaluate them yourself?
Overall, the maps hurt my eyes. I wish they would care about the eyes of pro gamers and make the maps a little darker. Akilon Flats is a good map for Protosses but I think PvT is difficult. I think Icarus is similar to a map called Polaris Rhapsody. The way I see it, it's going to be really hard to win against Zerg players who are really good. I really think that going to late game stage will be difficult. It's hard to grab a third base on Planet S. I really think Zergs have the advantage for PvZs.
Any specific player or race you want to face for group nominations?
I plan on picking a Protoss. Main reason being that I want to be recognized as the best Protoss player. Of course thing could end up backfiring on me. But then agian, that's a good thing for the opponent player.
What are you anticipating for the next season?
So far, I've always been able to go to the finals at least once a year. For this year, I also want to go to the finals.
Anything else you would like to say?
I am grateful to the LG-IM head coach because he takes care of me as if I was his own player and not a player he has to take care of because of a partnership. I also want to thank his wife because she always cooks so many delicious meals. I am also grateful that I get along so well with the SC2 players and the LoL players. I'm not sure if my mother and my girlfriend watched my match today or not but I want to thank them none the less for always cheering me on. We only have four Protosses remaining in the GSL now. But things are doable now because of the recent patch. I hope the other Protoss players won't give up hope and keep cheering us on. I hope HuK does really well in his group tomorrow. I'm not going to pick HuK during the group nominations. He's my friend. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors, my manager hyung, and the boss.
StarTale_Curious
Source: This Is Game
Tell us how you feel about making it to the Ro16 three seasons in a row.
I came to the studio with no expectations of making it through. I am so glad that I was able to get through like this but I think that the getting through the Ro16 will not be a possibility if I perform like I did today so I am worried.
You took a complete loss against MC.
While it's true that MC prepared well, ZvP has become difficult ever since the most recent patch. While it's true that Zergs have been rather OP thanks to infestors, it is also true that utilizing other units besides infestors was really low. This new patch really flustered me. I tried to find all kinds of solutions but in the end, nothing came up for my ZvPs. In fact, I lost so much time trying to prepare for my ZvPs that I wasn't able to properly prepare for my other match ups.
You defeated TY by a score of 2-1 in the losers' round.
Personally, I think I could have shown a much cleaner performance. But since I've been given the opportunity to play in the Ro16, I will use the Ro16 to show an even greater form.
You have group nominations ahead of you. Anyone you want to specifically face?
There is very little chance that I'll actually get to nominate someone but I want to face any other race but Protoss. I would like to grab revenge on all the players who defeated me last season.
You played two games on the new maps. How did you feel about the new maps as you were preparing for them?
For my game on Planet S, I didn't practice as much as I should have compared to KeSPA players so I showed a bad performance. For Akilon Flats, I think it's going to be difficult to win in ZvPs. Overall, I really think the new maps favor Protoss.
With PartinG and Squirtle most recently leaving the team, how is the team's atmosphere?
While it's true that they were good players, their reasons for wanting to leave are personal so their leaving didn't have any influence on the team.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank my teammates for helping me with practice. I also want to thank our sponsors. I will be participating in the group nominations so I am going to do my absolute best to make it entertaining for the fans (laughs).